Create Momentum... Or It'll Work Against You
Momentum is extremely powerful - the clarity of thought, the surge of energy and motivation along with the clear cut sense of direction.
When you're on the right side of momentum productivity is at an all time high, the hurdles and (often) self created walls crumble in your path because you know what you've got to do and there's not an ounce of doubt that you'll falter.
You MUST create momentum to achieve audacious goals.
On the other hand if you allow yourself to fall to the wrong side of this elusive momentum it will run you into the ground. Ever notice how people with a negative mindset seem to encounter more and more negativity while failing to get out of their self-created ditch? That's momentum.
Momentum is a freight training speeding downhill to the station that is your goals, or if you let it momentum can become the savage Rottweiler relentlessly chasing you down the street, stopping at nothing to tear you to pieces.
Isaac Newton On Momentum
Newton's First Law
An object at rest will remain at rest unless acted on by an unbalanced force. An object in motion continues in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.
Actionable Steps To Create Momentum
The good news is momentum is self-created, no one is blessed or handed the power of momentum - nor is momentum ever stripped by anyone other then yourself.
Here's how you can create momentum in your life.
Know What You Want
To get what you want you must first know what you want.
There's no way to build momentum and pursue a goal if you don't know what it is to begin with!
Every time you get in your car you have a destination in mind.
Every time you exert energy to perform a task you must have an end-state goal in mind, be it big or small.
Make A Plan
Once you've decided upon what you want it's time to begin backtracking.
What are the steps necessary to get X from where you are now? Well, first of all you must achieve S, T and V before you can obtain X.
How do you obtain S, T and V?
Backtrack to the smallest point, to the action you can take TODAY that'll lead you on the path to ultimately obtaining X.
This is the research phase, if you skip this you'll very likely be expending effort and heading in the wrong direction.
We must work smart before we work hard.
Start Every Day The Right Way
5am, the vast majority of society is sleeping.
It’s still, silent and dark aside.
Unless you’re catching a plane or lining up to buy the new iPhone chances are you’re tucked in your bed.
A small group of individuals wake up at 5am every single day of the week, they don’t have a plane to catch or a new product to go and buy.
They’ve got things to get done and goals to chase.
As their neighbour is getting out of bed wondering what the day holds in store for them you’re walking up your driveway after a high intensity interval training session.
You’ve already built positive momentum, you’ve already won.
Waking up early in the morning, just like any new habit takes a couple of weeks to become the new ‘normal’ for you.
A few years ago I couldn’t understand how someone could get out of bed at 5am in winter and head to the gym before work… now I’m at the gym at 5am every day – and couldn’t imagine how lethargic and lazy I’d feel if I slept in till 7 or 8am.
The first few days of waking up at 5am will have you wondering how anyone does it, but grit your teeth and tough out the first few days.
Consistency teamed with a short, efficient morning routine will have you unstoppably conquering your goals – cold showers, green juices, power posing there’s a number of quick ‘n’ easy habits I recommend using to get the energy and nutrients you need upon rising at 5am.
Waking up at 5am will have you achieving goals, making progress and getting shit done faster than ever before. There’s a real ‘zen’ I find in the early hours of the morning as I read, write and train – no distractions, no phone calls, nothing else fighting for your attention.
Just you, your work and your mental intensity. What you do with it is up to you.
Show Up
Momentum is lost due to inactivity, when you stand still you're not moving forward with that momentum!
You must show up and put in the work every single day.
'showing up' is subjective to your goal. This may mean getting on the treadmill and hitting that 5km run every single day, or it may mean sitting down to write that 1,000 word article every single day.
Whatever it is, just remember that you don't get better at something by not doing it and you sure as hell don't build or even maintain momentum with periods of inactivity.
Get The Body & The Mind Right (Cold Shower & Lift!)
Cold Showers...
I attribute cold showers to many of my successes in life. The uncomfortable act of forcing your body to withstand the freezing cold temperature of the water gushing out of your shower as the faucet is turned as far to the ‘cold’ side as possible is not only invigorating, but also provides many health and well-being benefits for men.
Most men are unaware of the benefits of cold showers and miss out on an EASY way to improve their life!
Improved Hair & Skin
Warm showers, although enjoyable and relaxing, offer no tangible benefits to our hair and skin—unlike cold showers. The cold water from your shower will result in the tightening of pores and cuticles, which aids in detoxification (as bad toxins are essentially squeezed of out your skin during this process). During a cold shower our hair cuticles are also closed, resulting in stronger hair.
Increased Testosterone
With an increase in testosterone levels, cold showers can turn you from a weak little boy into a man. In 1993 a study was conducted by the Thrombosis Research Institution of England which identified a correlation between individuals who take cold showers regularly and higher testosterone levels.
Although this rise in testosterone may not equate to instant increases in lean muscle mass, I can certainly attest to cold showers increasing both libido and overall energy levels.
Aids Post Exercise Recovery
Exposure to cold water and ice are known to reduce soreness and increase muscular recovery after strenuous exercise. This is why many elite athletes take ice baths. The logistics and process of setting up an ice bath is a handful—instead opting to take a more convenient cold shower will provide a similar boost in the recovery process after exercise.
Relief of Depression
The Department of Radiation Oncology at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine performed a study that suggests regular cold showers assist in battling depression. The “blue spot” of the brain is said to be stimulated by cold water therapy. This is due to noradrenaline, a chemical in the brain that has been linked to the mitigation of depression.
Increase in Discipline
There is no greater discipline-builder than the cold shower. Our body can withstand the cold water without a problem, but the mind will quickly want to abort and get you out of there. If you start your day with a 3-5 minute cold shower, I guarantee you that you will not be making excuses or delaying other tasks you have been avoiding undertaking. Instead, you’ll be setting the tone for a successful day.
Insane Levels of Energy & Invigoration
After stepping out of the shower you’ll feel like you’ve just ingested a double-shot espresso. Regardless of how lethargic you’re feeling in the morning, the moment that ice cold water hits your skin your heart and breathing while dramatically increase. As your body attempts to adapt to the situation at hand you’re left feeling completely energized.
Lift Weights!
Getting up early and get your workout done before the majority of the world have even crawled out of their beds to debate what they’re going to do that day is such a rewarding and empowering feeling.
The mental sharpness post-workout blows the effects of a coffee out of the water, you’re ready to kill whatever comes your way for the remainder of the day because you’re not stressed, your energetic and you’re focused.
If I don’t train in the morning I more often than not feel lethargic, unenthusiastic and lack the usual energy I have… this is essentially how the majority of society feels all the time – don’t be like that. We’re different.
I haven’t even mentioned that you’ll have free run of the gym, how many guys do you think are at the gym using the power rack, leg press or cables at 5am? None, now you don’t have to think about how packed the gym is going to be when you roll in late in the afternoon, or how fatigued from work or study you are.
Just about every college football team performs their strength and resistance training early in the morning. Why is this? Well it builds discipline for one, but there are also a lot of scientifically proven advantages to training in the morning such as:
Your Testosterone levels are higher in the morning
Intense training in the morning boosts Testosterone throughout the day
Training in the morning will increase your metabolism
Training in the morning will reduce food cravings
If you haven’t already I highly suggest you give training in the early hours of the morning a try, I can guarantee you’ll feel great for it and your productivity will be at an all-time high, you’ll also build discipline. The first few days you won’t have the best workouts admittedly as your body isn’t used to training at such a time, but after the first few days you’ll be smashing through your PRs.
The #1 Thing You Cannot Afford To Do
Don't Ever Stop
You must never stop.
When adversity hits, when we come up short and don't quite hit a milestone or target that shortcoming must be harnessed as motivation.
The reason why so many individuals fail is this is when they give up, they stop taking action.
You must double-down and continue to put in the work as a means of improvement, to ensure your momentum isn't sapped away. To ensure you'll have your hand raised when you reach that podium, where -ever or whatever it may be.